No jab, no entry: Hamilton businesses weigh up future with vaccine certificates

Monday, 25 October 2021

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says if people want to do the things they love this summer, they need to get vaccinated.

Hamilton business owners have split opinions on a future with vaccine certificates – or more severe Covid restrictions for those not using them.

Some businesses see it as a good step, and a Taupō restaurant and bar even announced a vaccine mandate before the Government’s traffic light system announcement, but one boss feels uncomfortable that he may have to “lock people out of venues”.

On Friday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the new system, which will kick in once all DHBs reach 90 per cent vaccination.

Anyone who wishes to access businesses, such as restaurants, bars, cafes, hairdressers and beauty therapists must have proof of vaccination, and businesses using vaccine certificates will have far more freedom to operate than those who don’t.

Lawrenson Group boss John Lawrenson said if he doesn’t use vaccine certificates “I'm going to go broke, lose 15 years of my life's work and make 200 staff redundant”.

* Covid-19: The top 10 questions people are asking Healthline, answered

* Covid-19: Fears childcare centre could close as five oppose jab mandate

Businesses not using vaccine certificates may not get payments under the wage subsidy scheme at the lower traffic light settings.

Lawrenson Group chief executive John Lawrenson “fundamentally disagreed” with the mandate but said he has no choice but to abide by it.

“I'm uncomfortable with it, but it’s also unfair for those who are vaccinated if I don’t enforce it. I have to weigh it up,” Lawrenson told Stuff shortly after the announcement.

If he didn’t comply, “I'm going to go broke, lose 15 years of my life's work and make 200 staff redundant.”

At each traffic light level, the rules will be different for those who are not using vaccine certificates.

Lawrenson’s businesses include Hamilton’s Furnace steakhouse, Coyotes nightclub and The Outback, and Bar 101 in Auckland.

He had been waiting for the Novovax vaccine, Stuff has reported, but decided to get the Pfizer after hearing the traffic light announcement and what it would mean for his businesses.

Under the traffic light system, vaccine certificates will be needed to enter many businesses.

But he didn’t understand the vaccine certificates, given a recent study in the Lancet found the effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine had declined after 5 months.

And, while he was glad Ardern took the decision out of his hands, it was “pretty rough”.

“I have to make a decision with the framework that’s given to me, based on the greater good.”

Vaccine passports play a role in every level of the new traffic light system. At green, hospitality businesses can operate as normal if they use vaccination certificates to ensure that their customers have had two doses. If not, they can only host up to 100 people, seated and separated.

At orange, hospitality businesses can also operate as normal with vaccine certificates, but those not using them can only provide contactless services. Close contact businesses and gyms cannot operate at orange without vaccine certificates.

A new 'traffic light' system for managing Covid-19 will - eventually - replace the existing alert levels.

The red light comes on if the spread of Covid-19 could threaten the healthcare system. Hospitality businesses using certificates can serve up to 100 seated, separated, and vaccinated customers. Those not using them can do contactless services.

Before the system was announced, Lawrenson said he didn’t want to make decisions on staff employment and be on the receiving ends of legal costs.

“Do I want to lock people out of venues and kick people out of jobs? No,” Lawrenson said.

“I’m not comfortable saying go get the jab or you’re fired.

“I’m not disputing the efficiency of vaccines, and I understand the need to be vaccinated, it’s just not my place to say.”

Lawrenson could risk losing up to 70 staff if they don’t get the vaccine.

Previously, vaccinations were mandatory for certain groups of workers, including the health and education sector.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson announces financial support under the new traffic light system.

Other employers were left to make their own decisions on vaccinations in the workplace and some wasted no time.

Taupō restaurant and bar Jolly Good Fellows says all staff are getting fully vaccinated, and any patrons who want to come inside after December 1 must be too.

“Non-vaccinated will be more than welcome to Jolly’s, but will be required to remain outside on our front deck and our staff will serve them from there,” a statement from director David Brown said.

Research showed the chance of spreading Covid in an outdoor environment was low, he said.

“It is our responsibility not only to keep our [staff] safe, but also so that our customers can feel that Jolly Good Fellows is a safe harbour from Covid.”

Brown challenged other Taupō hospitality venues and motels to do something similar.

Other businesses to get in early with vaccine requirements include Auckland’s Hotel Britomart, including restaurant Kingi, and Auckland construction firm, Teak Construction, which told subcontractors they needed proof of vaccination to access its construction site.

Back in Hamilton, owner of Lab Lash and Brow Studio Penny Mahoney felt positive about vaccine certificates.

“I think it’s a really good step, we have to keep our staff and clients safe to keep business running.”

Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced on Friday that the resurgence support payment (RSP) would be doubled, and paid fortnightly instead of the current three-weekly, until Auckland moved to the new traffic light framework.

As a business owner it's all about ensuring those who come onto premises, both workers and clients, go home safely at night, says Waikato Chamber of Commerce chief executive Don Good.

“What would you do to protect your business,” Good asked, “for yourself and staff and to ensure there is no detrimental effect to people and business?”